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1		SENATE RESOLUTION
2		WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3		learn of the death of Michael Edward Banks, Sr. of Chicago, who
4		passed away on August 25, 2015; and
5		WHEREAS, Michael Banks was born on June 4, 1945 in Chicago;
6		his parents were Edward Caldwell Banks and Pauline Pruitt
7		Banks; and
8		WHEREAS, Michael Banks attended Chicago Public Schools,
9		where he distinguished himself as an athlete and a scholar by
10		graduating 2 years early from Harlan High School and receiving
11		accolades and awards in basketball and track; he set a city of
12		Chicago record in the long jump, a record that remained
13		untouched for decades; his prowess in track earned him a dinner
14		with Olympian Jessie Owens, which was an evening he never
15		forgot; and
16		WHEREAS, Michael Banks attended Bradley University on an
17		athletic scholarship and joined the Epsilon Kappa Chapter of
18		Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; he earned his Bachelor of
19		Science degree in Business and Education and joined the
20		professional staff of Bradley University; and
21		WHEREAS, During his tenure at Bradley University, Michael

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1		Banks served in several capacities; he was responsible for the
2		Men's Residence Halls, Fraternity Affairs, and Minority
3		Student Affairs; he served as Assistant Dean of Men and
4		Assistant to the Dean of Students; he was the founder of the
5		Black Studies and Cultural Arts Center while serving as
6		Assistant Dean of Students; he also founded Music with A
7		Message, Peoria's first minority news, information, and
8		entertainment radio broadcast, which ran from 1968 to 1993; and
9		WHEREAS, While at Bradley University, Michael Banks'
10		passion for social and economic justice took wings; he led a
11		group of students on a march down Main Street to call attention
12		to discrimination in housing; he also traveled extensively on
13		the African continent in Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, Uganda, and
14		Liberia as a fundraiser for African Independence Groups
15		associated with Nelson Mandela; and
16		WHEREAS, Michael Banks served as the Executive Director of
17		Peoria's Citizen's Committee for Economic Opportunity, Inc., a
18		position he held for nearly 20 years; under his leadership,
19		many programs were initiated, including Webster Head Start, day
20		care services, kindergarten, before and after school latch-key
21		programming, alcohol rehabilitation services, a Senior Drop In
22		Center, neighborhood outreach centers, information and
23		referral services, radio and television programming,
24		weatherization and housing rehabilitation services, and a food

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1		service operation; he initiated Community Economic Development
2		projects for PCCEO, Inc. and formed the Peoria Economic
3		Development Association, a local SBA development corporation;
4		he started a 40-acre farm co-op that once served 100 families;
5		he also served as President of the National Center for
6		Community Action and as president of the Illinois Community
7		Action Association; he was recognized by his peers for his
8		strong leadership skills and effective management style; and
9		WHEREAS, Michael Banks played an integral role in
10		establishing the first black owned and operated radio station
11		in Peoria, WBGE 92.3 FM; he also served as General Manager of
12		B&G Broadcasting, one of 250 black owned and operated
13		broadcasting companies in the country, until the sale of the
14		station in 2000; and
15		WHEREAS, In 2001, Michael Banks relocated to Chicago, where
16		he founded and served as President and CEO of MEBA LLC, a
17		consultant firm for non-profit organizations; in this
18		capacity, he served as a consultant to the Community and
19		Economic Development Association of Cook County, Inc.'s
20		planning department until his retirement in 2012; and
21		WHEREAS, Michael Banks was preceded in death by his
22		parents; and

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1		WHEREAS, Michael Banks is survived by his wife, Noel
2		Stewart Banks; 2 children, Michael Banks, Jr. and Ebony Banks
3		(Emorej) Henderson; a grandson, Elisha A. Henderson; a brother,
4		Phillip Banks; 3 sisters, Rita Jackson, Patricia Hodges, and
5		Lori Jackson; an uncle, Wilfred (Betty) Banks; and his many
6		nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and
7		friends; therefore, be it
8		RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL
9		ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his
10		family and friends, mourn the passing of Michael Edward Banks,
11		Sr.; and be it further
12		RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
13		presented to the family of Michael Banks as an expression of
14		our sympathy.